Accelerated variable buoyancy lift



A. J. LEVIN 2,470,313

ACCELERATED VARIABLE BUOYANCY LIP T I '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 17, I949.

Filed March 26, 1948 IIIIIIII'II! vii/IllI/IIIIII II'IIIIIIIIIII/INVENTOR. 9880/1/96! J. LEI/IN.

ATTORNEY.

May 17, 1949. A. J. LEVIN ACCELERATED VARIABLE BUOYANCY LIFT Filed Marh26, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. AERAHAM J- LEV/N.

'IIIIIIIIIIII/ I I I I I I I I I I 5 I faowm Arron/var.

Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a means for producing a mechanical movement,and more particularly to a fluid mechanism for producing mechanicalmovements.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a structureadapted to utilize the reserve buoyancy of objects partially or whollyimmersed within a fluid.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a means forregulating and increasing such reserve buoyancy whereby the latter maybe employed to do useful work as in the transmission or transportationof fluids from one point to another, and for other hydrodynamicpurposes.

It is the further object of this invention to provide means for creatingor increasing the reserve buoyancy of a fluid container to therebyelevate the same relative to the level of a body of fluid artificiallycreating a fluid pressure head which is available for any number ofpurposes,- as for instance for use in supplying fluid for irrigation, orfor hydrodynamic purposes.

It is the still further object of this invention to provide a structurefor creating an initial reserve buoyancy of an object together withmeans for increasing said reserve buoyancy, as Well as secondary meansfor still further increasing said reserve buoyancy.

These and other objects will be seen from the following specificationand claims in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially diagrammatic elevational section of one embodimentof the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the relative position of theelements in said embodiment under a change of conditions.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the relative position of theelements under a further change of conditions; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the relative position of theelements under a still further change of conditions.

It will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely apreferable embodiment of the invention by way of illustration only, andthat other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claimshereafter set out.

Referring to the drawing a body of fluid I I such as water is shownwithin the fluid container I0. The substantially upright hollowcylindrical container or housing I2 which is preferably openended issubstantially submerged within fluid I I.

Fluid inlet pipe I3 with hand valve I4 is joined to housing I2 below thewater level for communication with the interior thereof, whereby withsaid valve open the fluid I5 within housing I2 will assume the level offluid I I on the exterior of said housing.

A second substantially hollow housing I 6 preferably open-ended iscoaxially positioned within housing I2, being submerged therein as shownin Fig. 1, with. its lower annular edge bearing upon the annular flangeI! which forms a part of housing I2.

Housing I6 is divided into chambers I8 and I9 by means of theintermediate partition 28 therein so that the compartment I8 hassubstantially onehalf the volume of compartment or chamber I9 by Way ofillustration.

Housing I6 which is adapted for vertical reciprocal movements withinhousing I2 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, has joined thereto the flexibleconduit 2I whose inner end is suitably joined to partition 2|] inregistry with opening 22 therethrough, providing fluid communication atthe lower end of and within chamber I8 which forms the upper part ofhousing I6.

The other end of conduit 2| extends loosely thru the lower open end ofcompartment I 9 and thru a corresponding opening in the outer housingI2, where it joins at point 23 two-way valve 24 diagrammatically shown,and which is positioned within the fluid II in container II).

The valve element 24 has a passage 25 therein whose outer end is adaptedfor communication either with the fluid II or upon rotation thereof isadapted for communication with fluid delivery pipe 26, for supplyingfluid, as for instance for purposes of irrigation, by way ofillustration. It will be understood that the fluid available in pipe 26may be used for other hydrodynamic purposes.

Two-way valve 24 is normally controlled manually or mechanically forproviding fluid communication between delivery pipe 26 and the interiorof chamber I8, or on the other hand for providing communication betweencompartment I8 and the body offluid II.

A second flexible pipe or conduit 21 with 2-way valve 28 interposed isadapted for connection at its outer end to a source of compressed air orother gaseous substance while its other end is joined to the partition20 within housing I6 for registry with opening 29 therethrough,providing communication to the interior of compartment I9, which forms apart of housing I6.

A pair of spaced pulleys 29' and 3|] are diagrammatically indicated,being arranged in spaced relation. A suitable cord 32 or otherconnecting means interconnects housing I6 at 3 one end of said cord withthe fluid container 3| secured upon the other end of said cord.

Consequently container 3| as well as housing l6 are suspended in spacedrelation to each other by the cord or wire 32 which extends over saidpulleys.

Fluid delivery pipe 26 extends from 2-way valve 24 with its outer endjoined to and in communication with the interior of container 3| at itslower end. A drain pipe- 33 projects from the opposite side of saidcontainer, there being a hand valve 34 joined to said drain pipe to control the withdrawing of fluid from container 3| as desired.

Operation housing l2 whereby the fluid therein is at the samelevel asthe body of'fl'uid II.

In Fig. 1 the hand valve-24 is adjusted so'that its passage 25establishes-fluidcommunication between conduit 2| and' the fluid withincontainer l0. With chamber l8 only partially submerged within the fluidin housing |2,-i. e; below the leveloffluid H, ibis clear that chamberl8 will automatically fill with fl'uid and housing l6- will becompletely-submergedas-shown in Fig. l.

The hand valve 28 wh'ich ispreferably a 2-way valve is momentarilyopened-permitting the inlet of compressed air into thedowe'r"compartment I9 of housing I6, said body o'fi air being entrapped belowpartition 23, a'n'd designated by the numeral 35.

This cylindrical column of air 3-5-has the efiect of increasing thereserve buoyancy of housing I6 causing thesame't'o'ris'e upwardly withinhousing IE to the position shown in Fig. 2, and with the fluid withinthe'upper chamber I'8' of housing l6 being elevated to the positionshown;

Thus anartificial pressure head hasbeen created for this fluidrelative'to the normal fluid level offluid' I,-w-ith-ho'usirig I 6 andits partition 26 being supported bythe' entrapped cylindricalbody ofcompressed air 35% The introduction of compressed air into com partment|9 which is interposed between the fluidtherein andpartitiQn Z iJ-isoneme'a'ns of artificially creating a reserve buoyancy for the innerhousing l6 causing the same" to attain the upright floating positionwithin thebodyof fluid H, and more particularly within housing" |-2which serves essentially as a guide therefor.

It is contemplated that other means may be employed for creating thisreservebuoyanc'y as for instance the'use'ofa weight or other mechanicalmeans, to function in-themanner hereafter described with respect tomeansfor increasing re-' serve buoyancy.

In Fig. 1 container 3 |is -substantia-11y level with chamber I8, whereaswith a latter elevated as in- Fig. 2, and in view of thepulley'connect'ions, container 3| has dropped to the position-shown.

The head of fiuid wlthin compartment l8 has now been increased relativeto container 31 by virtue of its elevation to the position shown in Fig.2, With said head being' furtl'ierincrea'se'd by the correspondingdownward movement ofcontainer 3|.

Referring now to 3' the 2-way" valve M is the reserve buoyancyof'housing I6 causing" it to adjusted so that its passage 25 establishesfluid communication between conduit 2| and delivery pipe 26, and due tothe head of fluid in chamber l8, said fluid will begin to drain intocontainer 3| in the manner indicated in Fig. 3.

The fluid which is supplied to container 3| may be employed for a numberof purposes as for instance, irrigation, or on the other hand may bedrained from pipe 33 of container 34 for various hydrodynamic purposes.

As shown in Fig. 3 approximately one-half of the fluid has drained fromchamber l8 and into container 3| with the result that the net weight ofthe remaining: fluidin' chamber l8 and. the weight of housing. "5 hasbeen reduced so that with the column of air 35 remaining constant, itsbuoyant e'irect has: been increased, and housing l6 has risen to ahigher position, as compared with Fig. 2.

At the same time the fluid so drained has begun to fill container 3|adding to the weight of said container", all of whieh' transmits a.downward force thru the supporting cord 32- for container 311 thrust dueto the increased weight of container 31 a'ndth'e fluid therein istransmitted thru the wire or cord 32*- eifecting an upward thrust to theportionthereofwhich supp'orts housing It.

As above described the initial withdrawing of fluid f-rom chamber |8hasthe effect of increasing rise to the position shown in Fig. 3' aswellas-the intermediate positions; as fluid has been withbuoyant effect of"the: column of air 35 has been still" furth'er'in'creas'ed", causingcontinued upward movement of" housing f6 tothep'osition shown indra'wn-from'chahiber" If.

The withdrawal of fluidinitially from chamber l8h'as thus had theefiedtofiricreasing the reserve buoyancy of housing. F6 therebycontrolling upward movement"thereorwithin the body'of water shown. Thereserve buoyancy of housing I6 is consequently further increased byutilizing the weight of the fluid withdrawn from chamber |-8 wherebythere are two forces at Work tending to increase the reserve buoyancy ofhousing l6 as chamber I'8'is gradually drained- As shown in Fig. 4all-the'fluid has-drained from chamber f8, container 3| is fullsubstantially, is in its lowest positionwhilehousing IB-isat itsuppermost position.

The fluid within container 3 may now be utilized fora further usefulpurpose: such as for irrigation,. or some hydrodynamic purpose by'however in view of the remaining" reserve buoyancy of housing I'B du eto the column of air 35,

it is clear that said housing will; still be in an elevated: positionrelative to Fig.- 2.

To' complete the cyole or operation the 2-way valve 2 B is manually'orotherwise adjusted to'permit the esoape orsomeor all of the air35"within chamber l s with tue'resuit that housin'g IB' willdropsubstantially to the dotted line position thereof showwinr'ig. 4:

In View of'pulleys Hand-30' the downward 2-way valve 24 is then adjustedto the position shown in Fig. 1 and fluid communication will again beestablished between chamber 1 8 and the fluid ll, so that chamber l8will gradually refill and be submerged to the initial position shown inFig. 1.

In connection with Fig. 4 it was explained that valve 28 was adapted topermit the escape of air 35 thru pipe 21. It is contemplated that it maynot be necessary to permit the escape of all such air, but just asufficient amount as will permit the fall of container IS, with theremaining shortened column of air 35 being partially compressed.

It is contemplated that the compressed air which is permitted to escapemay be utilized, if desired, for a useful purpose.

Drain pipe 2i is shown as the preferred means for delivering fluid fromchamber l8 to container 3 1, however said fluid may be siphonedtherefrom if desired, and drained into container 3|.

As above described in applicants preferable embodiment a source ofcompressed air is employed to create the reserve buoyancy described. Onthe other hand any gaseous substance could be employed.

It is contemplated however that other means may also be employed forcreating a reserve buoyancy, as for instance a weight and pulley asabove described, or a lever, or any other mechanical means adapted toupset the initial equilibrium of fluid so as to cause container l6 witha quantity of fluid to be elevated above the normal level of fluid l lto create a head of fluid.

While said reserve buoyancy may be created by the operation of a weightand pulley, a lever, or other mechanical means, it follows further thatthe release of said weight and pulley, lever or other mechanical meanswould correspond to the release of air from chamber If! to therebydecrease said reserve buoyancy.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claimswhich follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination, an open-ended upright partitioned housing immersed ina fluid body and having upper and lower chambers, a compressed airsupply conduit in communication with the lower chamber, a fluidcontainer, a plurality of pulleys, means interconnecting said housingand container suspending the same from said pulleys in spaced relation,a conduit providing communication between said upper chamber andcontainer, valve means in said air conduit controlling the flow of airinto said lower chamber entrapping a column of air therein to develop areserve buoyancy in said housing causing said upper chamber to riseabove said container creating a head for the fluid in said upper chamberrelative to said container, valve means in said fluid conduitcontrolling the flow of fluid between said upper chamber and container,and adapted to alternately establish communication between said upperchamber and said body of fluid, and a fluid escape valve adjacent thebottom of said container.

2. In combination, an open-ended upright partitioned housing immersed ina fluid body and having upper and lower chambers, a compressed airsupply conduit in communication with the lower chamber, valve means insaid air conduit controlling the flow of air into said lower chamber, afluid container, a plurality of pulleys, means interconnecting saidhousing and container suspending the same from said pulleys in spacedrelation, a conduit providing fluid communication between said upperchamber and container, valve means in said latter conduit controllingthe flow of fluid between said upper chamber and container and adaptedto alternately establish communication between said upper chamber andfluid body, and a fluid escape valve adjacent the lower end of saidcontainer.

3. In combination, an open-ended upright partitioned housing immersed ina fluid body and having upper and lower chambers, a compressed airsupply conduit in communication with the lower chamber, a fluidcontainer, a plurality of pulleys, means interconnecting said housingand container suspending the same from said pulleys in spaced relation,a conduit providing communication between said. upper chamber andcontainer, valve means in said air conduit controlling the flow of airinto said lower chamber entrapping a column of air therein to develop areserve buoyancy in said housing causing said upper chamber to riseabove said container creating a head of fluid in said upper chamberrelative to said container, valve means in said fluid conduitcontrolling the flow of fluid between said upper chamber and containerand adapted to alternately establish communication between said upperchamber and said fluid body, the reserve bouyancy in said housingincreasing as fluid flows from its upper chamber reducing its weight,and in view of the upward thrust of its suspending means due to theincreased weight of said container, and a fluid escape valve adjacentthe lower end of said container to permit the withdrawal of fluidtherefrom.

4. In combination, an open-ended upright partitioned housing immersed ina fluid body and having upper and lower chambers, a compressed airsupply conduit in communication with the lower chamber, a fluidcontainer, a plurality of pulleys, means interconnecting said housingand container suspending the same from said pulleys in spaced relation,a conduit providing communication between said upper chamber andcontainer, valve means in said air conduit controlling the flow of airinto said lower chamber entrapping a column of air therein to develop areserve buoyancy in said housing causing said upper chamber to riseabove said container creating a head of fluid in said upper chamberrelative to said container, valve means in said fluid conduitcontrolling the flow of fluid between said upper chamber and containerand adapted to alternately establish communication between said upperchamber and said fluid body, and a valved outlet in said container topermit the withdrawal of the fluid therefrom, the valve means in saidair conduit being adjustable to permit the escape of air from said lowerchamber decreasing said reserve buoyancy, so that it descends into thefluid causing upward movement of the empty container.

5. In combination, an open-ended upright partitioned housing immersed ina fluid body and having upper and lower chambers, a compressed airconduit in communication with the lower chamber, a fluid container, aplurality of pulleys, means interconnecting said housing and containersuspending the same from said pulleys in spaced relation, a conduitproviding fluid communication between said upper chamber and container,valve means in said air conduit controlling the flow of air into saidlower chamber entrapping a column of air therein to develop a reserveaccurate;

7 Buoyancy in: saidJ housing: causing: saidz upper: chamber to riseabovasaiucontainev 'creatingfi at head of fluid in: said uppeubhamberrelative: to said container; valve meanstintsaidi flui'df conduiticontrolling the now of. fluid31betw6en=:said upper. chamber andcontainer andiaidapted to: alternately establishoommunicatiom: betweensaid: upper' chamberandsdid fluld body;.arid a valved: outlet in saidcontainento perm'it tile-withdrawal of the fluid -theref'10m-;; thevalve: means= in: said air 'conduit beingadjustable: to"- permit' tfiezescape of air from saidlower chamben decreasingrsaidl reserve buoyancy,so t'hat it d'escendsaintotlie: fluid causing upward movement/cf theempty container, the valve means-in: said? fluidi conduitbeing"adjustable to establish?communicatiombe tween said' fluidbodyandlsai'cli upper: chamber, whereby: said housing is: gradually"submerged;-

65 In combination, an objeotdinmerseddm a body of fluid; a filled fluidreceptacle carried) thereby, a fluid container, a= pluralityof'pull'eys; means interconnecting said objeoiiand container: suspendingthe samefrom s'aid pulleys inspaced relation, means comparable with saidobject to elevate thesame and its flhid abovethesurround ing, fluidlevel tocreate a reserve buoyancy" in" said objectand a liea'd -relativeto said container, a fluid" conduit betweensaid container and receptacle for conductingflliicl" from said rec'eptacle increasing itsreserve buoyancyand -tosai'd' con tainer for further increasing'rsaidreserve buoy alloy at two=way-valve i'm said conduit; controlling fm'eans interconnecting said objectt anascontainen:

suspending the same from said pulleys in-lspaced relation, meanscoo'perablewith said object'to: elevate-the'sameJanddts'fluid abovethesurround ing fluid level to create a reserve buoyancy im said objectand'afluidhead-melatiVe'tmsaid container, a fluid conduit betweensaidcontainerand receptacle for conducting fluid from-- said receptacleincreasingits reserve buoyancy" and co -said" container forfurtherincreasing said re serve buoyancy, said means being' adapted topermit lowering of said obj ect and receptacleto correspondinglydecrease said reservebuoyancy a two-way valve in said conduitcontrolling the= fiowof fluid between said receptacle and saidicontainer and adaptedto alternately establish communication between saidreceptacle -land said body of fluid, and an outlet valve adiacent thebottom of'sai'd'container topermit'the-withdrawaP of fluid therefrom.

No references citedi

